Bandera Cancels Flock Safety Camera Program After Public Debate

The Bandera City Council has voted to cancel a Flock Safety camera program after months of public opposition.

The council voted 3-2 on May 12 to deactivate or remove any installed city Flock cameras and discontinue installation of new Flock cameras in the city. Councilmembers Debbie Breen, Tammy Morrow and DeAnna McCabe voted in favor of the motion, while councilmembers Jeff Flowers and Lynn Palmer voted against it.

The vote followed repeated public discussion of the cameras, including a February town hall and subsequent council meetings. At the May 12 meeting, one speaker asked how many more meetings would be needed before the city acted, saying residents had been “battling this out” for weeks. Another speaker said the February town hall had made clear how residents felt about the cameras before the city paid a Flock invoice in March.

The program was tied to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Catalytic Converter Grant. Interim City Administrator Jill Dickerson said the city had paid the Flock invoice in March but had not yet received reimbursement. She said the city would lose $14,167 if it did not move forward with reimbursement.

Councilmembers also discussed the status of the equipment. Dickerson said one camera had been installed but was not live at the time of the meeting. Officials also said another camera that had been cut down was at the public works yard awaiting approval for installation in a new location.

McCabe questioned whether the project had changed from what councilmembers initially understood when the grant application was approved. She said the application referenced four cameras and four mast poles, while Dickerson said the invoice reflected five cameras after Flock revised the plan for the same amount of money.

Residents who spoke before the vote raised concerns about surveillance, data governance, cybersecurity and ongoing costs tied to damaged equipment. Councilmembers opposing cancellation said the cameras could help law enforcement identify stolen vehicles or people connected to crimes.